Who was better?Tyson or Holyfield?

[snap the jab]

Tyson is better than Holyfield in almost every respect, but in one key area Holyfield has him beat: Holyfield is much stronger on the mental front than tyson, in terms of his heart and his focus in the ring. That's the reason he was able to beat tyson in 1996. Tyson had everything he needed to ko holyfield - if he'd just kept tagging holyfield to the body and thrown some jabs and uppercuts, he would have taken holyfield out. But holyfield frustrated tyson and threw his rhythm off, and once tyson is derailed he just never seems to get it back...

[kapersky]

Holyfield all the way and you Tyson lovers (not that I dont like him)dont say becasue Tyson was out of his prime becasue Holyfield was older meaning he was even farther from his prime.

holyfield was still in his prime or "second" prime. he got more experience than 91(he havent been test or got hit as hard/much like he did vs bowe))he also went up 12pounds. he was much stronger and focus than tyson. maybe his "second" prime couldŽnt take hard punches than 91 but like i said much more experience. if you looks at tyson body you could see its much more fat than his prime also much slower and noway he could punch harder than his prime. holyfield also ko moorer after that and survive 2 fights vs lennow lewisŽs prime(ll got his number prime or not). how can u say holyfield was farther from his prime?.

[Warden11]

Do you feel his second prime was as good as his first? If not then wouldnt his first prime BE his prime?

[Kid Achilles]

Kaper,

Holyfield was old by then, period. No one gave him a shot against Tyson, even the guys who thought Holyfield might have pulled it off if he were in his prime. In hindsight it looks like Tyson was the shot fighter at that point, as Hoylfield moved on to do greater things, but that is only because Holyfield was an all around better fighter who was still great even when he had slowed down.

Prime Holyfield would have beaten Tyson even worse than the 96' version, and he would have had a great chance of beating Tyson at any point in his career.

[kapersky]

Kaper,

Holyfield was old by then, period. No one gave him a shot against Tyson, even the guys who thought Holyfield might have pulled it off if he were in his prime. In hindsight it looks like Tyson was the shot fighter at that point, as Hoylfield moved on to do greater things, but that is only because Holyfield was an all around better fighter who was still great even when he had slowed down.

Prime Holyfield would have beaten Tyson even worse than the 96' version, and he would have had a great chance of beating Tyson at any point in his career.

hmm ok, it looks his second prime was more carefully. i though thats why he seem to be slower. why cant i see 91(prime) holyfield could do better than 1996?. his prime was maybe little faster and could take punches, but noway he could hit harder and more carefull as 1996(he was the first to knock down mercer)and tyson also wasent in his prime. you said prime holyfield would beaten tyson worse?, witch way?, how?, will he jab or and just his speed? and skills?. prime vs prime = tyson win

[Kid Achilles]

Kapersky,

Are you trying to argue that Holyfield of 96' was a better fighter than the prime version? I just don't agree with you there, not one bit. The reason no one gave Holyfield a chance against Tyson was that they thought he was old. Had that fight happened earlier Tyson wouldn't have been such a big favorite, and Holyfield certainly would have beaten him then.

Holyfield was made to beat Tyson. Strong guy mentally and physically, adequate inside fighter, and he had a great chin. There were things that Tyson's 80's opponents just didn't have. If Holyfield was around in 86', Tyson wouldn't have been champion.

[USA4LIFE]

Holyfield IMO has more heart than Tyson, thats why i think he is a better b/c even tho you can rely on your power and speed for a while but sometimes you need more than that.

[kapersky]

Kapersky,

Are you trying to argue that Holyfield of 96' was a better fighter than the prime version? I just don't agree with you there, not one bit. The reason no one gave Holyfield a chance against Tyson was that they thought he was old. Had that fight happened earlier Tyson wouldn't have been such a big favorite, and Holyfield certainly would have beaten him then.

Holyfield was made to beat Tyson. Strong guy mentally and physically, adequate inside fighter, and he had a great chin. There were things that Tyson's 80's opponents just didn't have. If Holyfield was around in 86', Tyson wouldn't have been champion.

they though holyfield was old and had bad heart condition, but did he, in that fight? NO. 1986 tyson would ko easy, tyson have fough fighter that got great chin like holyfield he destory them in his prime. how can u say holyfield was made to beat tyson?, prime vs prime = tyson ko. no chin can survive 2-3 perfect punches from tysonŽ prime.

[EvilMark]

holyfield was better

[kapersky]

holyfield was better

yep overall he is, but prime vs prime tyson win. i am a true tyson fans